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On Tuesday, some Longview businesses received honors from the Longview Chamber of Commerce.

Johnny Cace's Seafood & Steak House was named 2008 Tourism Partner of the Year. Chris Hill, Personally Fit by Chris Hill received the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Kelly Services was awarded the 2008 Small Business of the Year honor.

More than 200 business people assembled in Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center to recognize the recipients of the Small Business Awards, chamber officials said.

They also recognized the 2007-08 graduates of the Leadership Longview Program. A luncheon preceded the 12th Annual Longview Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, which continued that afternoon.

The 2008 awards presentation was sponsored by Longview Regional Medical Center, and the Leadership Longview graduation was sponsored by Farmer Agency.

Class members and the companies they represent are Michael Black, John Black and Associates; Kevin Cummings, City of Longview; Jacob Farmer, Farmer Agency; Debbie Ferguson, Neiman Marcus National Service Center; Branden Johnson, Jene Travel; Chad Jones, Longview Regional Medical Center; Jeff Mach, Eastman Chemical Co.; and Andrea Mayo, Longview Independent School District.

Also, Jafari McClenton, Citizens National Bank; Carlton Mitchell, LeTourneau University; Mary Morton, Northeast Texas Physician Services; Shane Newby, Norris Cylinder Co.; Carmel Orren, Junior Achievement of East Texas Inc.; Lori Osborne, Texas Bank and Trust; and Renee Rice, Austin Bank Texas NA.

Also, Tom Sledge, Longview Regional Medical Center; Courtney Smith, office of Rep. Bryan Hughes; Lindsay Vanderbilt, East Texas Council of Governments; Francisco Vasquez, The Made-Rite Co.; William Wallace Jr., Alcatel-Lucent; Michael Watson, Community Healthcore; and Sam Wood, Capacity of Texas.

Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said he is encouraging families who wish to apply for the Texas Department of Agriculture's Family Land Heritage Program to get started on their applications.

The program recognizes farms and ranches that have been in continuous agricultural production by the same family for at least 100 years or more.

In past years, some farms and ranches in Smith and surrounding counties were honored. This year, none were recognized, although some in other parts of East Texas were.

Applications, which are due Sept. 15, will be accepted for farms or ranches established in 1908 or earlier that are still owned and operated by descendants of the founder, either through blood, marriage or adoption. The land must also fit the old U.S. Census definition of a farm.

The owners must reside in Texas and actively manage the everyday operation of the farm or ranch. If all the land has ever been rented or leased to someone outside of the family, it will not qualify. If only a portion was leased, and as much as 10 acres were retained in the family for agricultural production of a certain value, the property will still qualify.

There is no charge to apply for the recognition. For more information or an application, contact Michelle Sneed at 512-463-2631, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, 78711. The application can also be downloaded at www.tda.state.tx.us under the Family Land Heritage link.

Residential builders in East Texas can earn state-required continuing education credit hours by attending classes scheduled for May 20 and May 28 at Tyler Area Builders Association, 1504A W. Grande Blvd.

Builders who registered with the Texas Residential Construction Commission on or after Sept. 1, 2007, must complete five hours of continuing education within their first full year of operation, said Patrick Fortner, spokesman for the commission.

Builders who registered with the TRCC before Sept. 1, 2007, have five years to complete the required five hours of continuing education, Fortner said.

The legislature enacted the requirements, which include instruction in areas such as building codes, performance standards, warranties and ethics.

A one-hour class on the subject of TCEQ stormwater permit changes is scheduled 3-4 p.m. May 20. Cost is $25 for TABA members and $50 for non-members. Steve Reed of Reed & Associates Environmental Consulting of Carthage will teach the class.

A second class, on the subject of TRCC rules and regulations, is scheduled for May 28 at the same cost. Enrollees will choose between two afternoon sessions. The class will be taught by a member of the TRCC staff.

Pre-registration is required for enrollment and is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Class sizes are limited. Sign-in and information sheets will be circulated to certify attendance. Additional courses will be offered in July and August.

For more information, visit the calendar of events at www.tylerareabuilders.com, or call TABA at 903-561-3964.

Business Editor Greg Junek may be reached at 903-596-6280, or by e-mail at business@tylerpaper.com.